Altstadt, Randy
Berg, Jeff
(Boedigheimer) Aschnewitz, Diane
(Brasel) Stone, Donna
(Buntrock) Brodney, Sandi
(Curtis) Asmund, Cheryl
(Doll) Anderson, Elaine
(Doom) Hegge, Tami
(Dreyer) Schmitz, Nancy
Fistler, Jon
(Frederick) Wicks, Cyndi
Fritz, Rose
(Fudge) Weer, LaVone
Guck, Al
Guck, Tim
(Harthun) Buschette, Dawn
(Hauer) Bogart, Krista
Hein, Donald
Huebsch, Janice
(Koplin) Thompson, Melody
(Kupferschmid) Rosdahl, Kris
LaFond, Steve
Maness, Teresa C.
(Matchinsky) Kalway, Mary
Mattfeld, Mark
Millage, Kevin
Nagel, Georgia
(Schmitz) King, Christine
(Schmitz) Rengel, Carol
Silbernagel, Thomas
(Starkweather) Dohrmann, Christine
Walz, Brian
(Winkels) Haarstad, Sharon
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LaFond, Steve
Wife: Sylvia
16553 ISAAK AVE NW
CLEARWATER, MN 55320
stevialafond@msn.com
320-558-2512
Having been away from Perham since 1975, spring of my Freshmen year, most of the class will probably not remember who I am. I was in the band, played French Horn and Tenor Sax. I was also a track star for the Perham team. Broke a 35 year standing record set by Mr. Meinhover back in the 30's in the half mile. Only one to letter in 7th and 8th grade track up to that point.
In '75 my parents decided to move us to the cities to save their marriage. It did not work. I was entered into a Catholic Military Boys School where I attended 10th grade. My brother Chris also went to this school. Quite a change from Perham. 11th grade found me at Moundsview High School in the northern subs of St. Paul. I broke my neck in a diving accident in a few weeks prior to going to this new high school. It was interesting being in a school where there were as many in my grade as there were in the entire Perham School k-12!
Not to mention trying to fit in with a whole new group of people who would not approach someone walking around in a neck brace.
After I finished 11th grade I started Technical College for Cosmetology. I obtained a GED and was not required to go back to finish my 12th grade year. At this point my parents split up and I got married, left the college and joined the Air Force in 1977. I served 8 years. My first wife and I had three children. Our marriage did not survive the chaos of countless moves and disruptions. The first tour was in Boston where I worked as an medium and heavy duty mechanic, then training in Denver then second tour in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where I worked as an electronic technician in a research facility for MX and Trident Missiles... Back to the Twin Cities in 1985.
I met my sweetheart Sylvia while I was running a sailing school in the Twin Cities and Madeleine Island, Wisc. We fell in love and moved out of the cities to Clearwater, MN where we have been happily raising our family for the past 20 years this spring. We have 5 children together. Sylvia is a draftsman by trade but has spent the past 15 years home schooling.
I have worked as manager of a rental store and several auto repair
facilities. I have worked as a class C carpenter, insurance sales, tool and die maker, heavy equipment operator, shoe store manager, landscape engineer, electrician, plumber, and other miscellaneous odd jobs. I am currently a Board Certified Pedorthist and work for the family Shoe Business, on my Mom's side, Schuler Shoes. I travel to 6 locations and spend my days meeting with people who have foot problems. I am trained in the fabrication of foot orthotics and shoe modifications for any and all sorts of foot maladies. I do not sell anything, I just meet with people, and help them with their foot troubles, it is fun. Pedorthist's are considered a pharmacist to a foot doctor. There are only about 2000 nationwide and we help you to have happy feet!!!!
I just opened a new store front in our new store in Burnsville and that is why I cannot be at the reunion. 30 years! Hard to believe.
As I stated I have 8 children, 9 counting the one in heaven. My oldest Christine (30) is married and has three children, her husband Rick is a chemist who works for a private R&D company in Edina, MN. They live in White Bear Lake with Alec (5), Nicole (3) and Eli (9 mos). Jon (29) spent 4 years in the Coast Guard and now works for the Post Office as a Industrial Engineer, he is also trained as an electrician and is hoping to move up the ladder. Philip (27) is a trucker. He has a beautiful daughter, Trinity (6). So that makes me a grandpa 4 times already at 48! Lydia (20) is working for the St. Benedicts Center in St. Cloud and plans to attend a Nursing Assistant program this fall. She has three years of college already but due to funding has changed her plans about returning to Benedictine College in Kansas. Adam (19) is currently working for the Power Plant in Elk River and is doing really well. Richard (17) will be a senior at TECH HS in St. Cloud, home schooling wasn't cool anymore.... Madeleine (11) is still home schooling and is also active in gymnastics and piano. Sammy (6) is a total ball of energy and will be home schooling this year in 1st grade.
Sylvia and I have been active in the TEC program in Little Falls and I have run across several of you at Belle Prairie, you know who you are! I have also been in and out of several prisons over the years and proud to say that I have spent my time in St. Cloud State Penn as well. I have done time with some pretty special people from Perham!!
Other inerests, hunting, fishing, canoeing, sailing, relaxing, antiquing,
gardening, trails, camping, being alive.
We do manage to keep busy with large families on both sides, there is never a dull moment, believe me.
We live about 2 miles off I-94 near the Nelson's truck stop in Clearwater, feel free to email, drop a line or stop in for some coffee, or to have your feet checked! I hope to cross paths with everyone at some point in the future.
When I see the names of everyone I can see your faces and remember having intereacted with you all. I really miss Perham and the memories. It is a great foundation for my life to have been a part of yours.
Well this is a lot of info, far more than you might be interested in for
someone who has been away for 33 years. I do have fond memories of Perham, I had such good friends and I believe that I have a special memory for everyone in the class. Look me up sometime! May God's Grace be with you all!
Steve
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